Council approves waterline project resolution, manager authorized to manage payments and change orders

The Perry City Council voted to adopt Resolution No. 2026-02, authorizing the city manager to oversee payments and contract administration for the waterline "kill out" project.

Presiding official read the resolution, which directs the city manager to make required payments to listed contractors (including Lone Hickory Cattle Company and Cimarron Valley Engineering LLC), approve change orders within available project funds and provide bimonthly written reports to council on project status and expenditures.

Council members pressed staff on the scope of change-order authority. City Manager Nate clarified he will approve only change orders that remain within the project appropriation and will bring larger change orders to the council for review. Council raised typical concerns about subsurface unknowns and the potential for cost escalation on this type of work.

A motion to approve Resolution No. 2026-02 was made, seconded and adopted by roll-call vote with all members present recorded in favor.

Nate said staff will break out engineer fees and change-order details in future project reports so council can track project costs at the project level.

Council did not direct any additional appropriations at the meeting; the resolution authorizes manager action within available monies and requires written updates every two meetings.